Diversity of the Primitive Khmer Architecture in Sambor Prei Kuk

The architectural diversity of brick shrines at the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk, Cambodia—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Pre-Angkor complex—was found to be irregularly mixed, with variations in plan form, interior layout, pedestal structure, antechamber design, elevation, and corbel arch roofing. This diversity peaked during the Pre-Angkor period (prior to the 9th century) before standardizing under Angkorian influence, marking a shift from brick to sandstone as the primary construction material by the 11th century. The study analyzed 28 well-preserved shrines, revealing that Sambor Prei Kuk represents the most sophisticated expression of Pre-Angkor architecture in design, structure, and technique.

SHIMODA, I., & NAKAGAWA, T. (2015). DIVERSITY OF THE PRIMITIVE KHMER ARCHITECTURE IN SAMBOR PREI KUK. Journal of Architecture and Planning (Transactions of AIJ), 80(718), 2923–2933. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.80.2923